This band took me by surprise. They were so good, in fact, that even though I had a promo copy of their album, I went out and ordered the LP.

Belgrade is unique to anything out right now, but could be peers to many late 90s and early 2000s post-punk bands. Melodic but not pop. There’s a rough edge slightly beneath the surface of their music.Â If you’re a fan of Appleseed Cast or Sunny Day Real Estate, this is right up your alley.

Belgrade’s self-titled album has been in top rotation on my iPhone, Spotify and in my car since hearing it. At home, it’s in my top stack of LPs.Â One of my favorites of 2013 so far.

I fell in love with Banquets’ self-titled album immediately after hearing it. Originally they were advertised to me as “pop-punk” but even hearing the first measure of music, I knew that wasn’t the case. If I had to classify Banquets’ sound I’d say New Found Glory meets The Ataris meets Hot Water Music with a dash of Samiam and a sprinkle of The Gaslight Anthem.

Their album is a fantastic balance of hooks, melody and straight up honesty. It’s infectious, well written and catchy as hell. Every song.

So, do yourself a favor and check this band out. Sample them on Spotify and please support the band by going out to a show, buying their music or their merch. I hope this band is around for a long time.

I have a long history with Denison Witmer. Back in 2001 I fell in love with his songwriting on the album Of Joy And Sorrow and ever since then he’s an artist that I’ve sought out for new music yearly. His music was used when I married my wife, his music has influence my own songwriting, and his music has brought peace during many stressful situations. Denison Witmer’s newest album is out now and it’s probably his best work yet. Learn more about it after the jump.

A few years ago I stumbled across the duo Bella Ruse and have been in love with their music ever since. This year they’re releasing a Christmas album and it’s wonderful. Discover this wonderful group for yourself and fill your house with Christmas cheer this holiday! Also, they’re albumÂ Kuhzoo is pretty fun and worth checking out!

I discovered Boston, MA band Save Ends when I Â began planning on bringing back the podcast. Their sound is familiar, yet unique. Imagine if The Anniversary joined forces with The Get Up Kids. I was hooked. Hoping for a full-length album from this band very soon.

Out of the 6 bands I played this week on the GeekCouch: Backstage Pass podcast, Ghost Robot Ninja Bear was my standout favorite. I’m not 100% if they’re even still doing anything as of now, but their album is available for a “name your price” download and you should check it out.

I just discovered the band The End of America and they’ve quickly become one of my favorite bands recording right now. Their debut album, Steep Bay was recorded over 9 days in and around a remote cabin on Schroon Lake, located in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York.

The result is 9 songs with an energy and fire you can’t get from a studio. Steep Bay has jumped to the top of my “Best of 2011″ list (yes, I know it’s early in the year) and is very much worth checking out. You can buy the album digitally for $4.99 or buy the CD w/ a poster for $8.99 HERE.

Hear a song, watch 2 videos and read the press release after the jump.

Raw and catchy, The Cold Beat doesn’t need anything else other than their music to do that talking. Â If you’re a fan of The Get Up Kids, The Replacements, HÃ¼sker DÃ¼, Buffalo Tom, or Old 97′s you’ll dig The Cold Beat.

About the Band: In a little over a yearÂ The Cold Beat have released an EP, a 7â€ and are now back with their debut full-length, entitledÂ Get Safe. The album expands the bandâ€™s anthemic take on punk-influenced rock nâ€™ roll. Words like modest and working class might get thrown around rather easily when it comes to The Cold Beat but donâ€™t let that fool you. These boys can write a melody and back it up in full force with some pounding, catchy rhythms. Featuring current members of Where The Land Meets The Sea and Dan Webb And The Spiders as well as former members of Lock And Key, The Call Up, inblackandwhite and The Murder Mile, The Cold Beat delivers an album chock full of mature roots rock anthems with a youthful punk energy.Â Get Safe sees the trio expanding instrumentally with flourishes of organ and horn. Those additions only enhance the bandâ€™s songwriting chops and lends to the tailor-made choruses that leave the listener searching for the repeat button. The Cold Beatâ€™s songs remain ultra-melodic but show off a renewed depth. There is a darkness and a sense of urgency that is palpable here. Get Safe is anything but safe and the band has given us an album that breathes sincerity and authenticity. The Cold Beat sure didnâ€™t take long to deliver on the promise of their earlier efforts. The band has arrived well ahead of schedule. [Beartrap PR]

Bands You Should Know is a feature that will introduce you to hard-working, independent music artists that stand out from the overwhelming noise of today’s music scene. Â These are bands that deserve to be heard and supported. Â If you like them, please support them by going to shows and buying their music.

If you’re looking for something a bit more aggressive, but something that goes against the mainstream grain, look no further than The Saddest Landscape. Â Originally formed in 2002, The Saddest Landscapequickly made a name for themselves in the “screamo underground.” But, after a handful of independent releases, they’ve remained somewhat dormant. Â 2010 marks their first full length album in 7 years, and while the “screamo” genre has become stale, The Saddest Landscape have not. Â They’ve left that predictable sound behind and created something melodic yet aggressive and wholly original.

About the Band: Haunting and massive in its scope,Â The Saddest Landscapeâ€™sÂ You Will Not Survive echoes a maelstrom of emotions while retaining a staggering poise and precision. Rarely does a record push you so close to the edge only to save you at its dying breath. The Saddest Landscape provides cathartic therapy for desperate and dark matters of the heart. With passionate vocals and pummeling, powerful musical landscapes the band never relents nor wavers as they drag you through their own personal hell. It is the fear of the journey that eventually makes us stronger andÂ You Will Not Survive is that voyage. Time away has only enhanced The Saddest Landscapeâ€™s aggressive vitriol. The band has redefined expectations firmly reestablishing themselves back in a scene that desperately needs them.Â You Will Not Survive further entrenches The Saddest Landscape as an uncompromising pioneer in the ever-evolving screamo genre.

Bands You Should Know is a feature that will introduce you to hard-working, independent music artists that stand out from the overwhelming noise of today’s music scene. Â These are bands that deserve to be heard and supported. Â If you like them, please support them by going to shows and buying their music.

About the Band: For his sixth album, entitledÂ Risk,Â Daniel G. Harmann has beefed up his sound withÂ The Trouble Starts. Primarily a solo artist, Harmann describes the new album as a collection of â€œBig songs you dream about making and playing to lots of peopleâ€.Â Risk was recorded live over five days at Electrokitty Studios with Long Winters bassist Eric Corson. OnÂ Risk, Harmann and his band have created an intriguing collection of working class art rock with a full, sweeping sound leaving the pretense firmly at the door. Risk is lyrically all about taking chances. Harmann & The Trouble Starts has crafted an album that is difficult to pigeonhole.Â Risk lives and breathes at two separate corners only to meet somewhere perfectly in the middle between the elegant and the abrasive. â€œCall it what you will,â€ Harmann says, â€œbut at its core, its rock and roll. Itâ€™s dirty and imperfect. Itâ€™s quiet and loud.â€ Finding beauty in the simpleness of everyday life is what sustains us all. Harmann knows this and the emotional depth withinÂ Risk is honest and remarkably uplifting. [Beartrap PR]

Bands You Should Know is a feature that will introduce you to hard-working, independent music artists that stand out from the overwhelming noise of today’s music scene. Â These are bands that deserve to be heard and supported. Â If you like them, please support them by going to shows and buying their music.